Sue Paterno says she was ignorant of sex predators

FILE PHOTO — Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, with his wife, Sue, speaks briefly to the media and dozens of student supporters after the university's board of trustees announced it had voted to fire him in November 2011. Joe Paterno died in January 2012. MICHAEL R. SISAK / THE CITIZENS' VOICE

HARRISBURG — Sue Paterno says she and her husband Joe Paterno were ignorant about sexual predators like Jerry Sandusky.

Speaking at a child-abuse prevention program, Paterno said she and her husband sometimes unknowingly helped Sandusky "groom" the boys he abused, believing he was helping them find a better life.

Paterno says she was horrified to learn Sandusky sexually abused several young boys.

An internal probe completed last summer accused Joe Paterno, who died in January 2012, and three former Penn State administrators of covering up an abuse allegation about Sandusky more than a decade ago in an attempt to shield the university from bad publicity.

The Paterno family has vehemently died the late coach had any knowledge about Sandusky's crimes against children.

Sandusky is serving 30 to 60 years in prison.

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